Story
Uber sends a new hourly rate for longer, intercourse journeys
Uber has been launching a new feature for riders who need to take longer journeys with multiple destinations with the ride-hairing business at rock bottom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new "Hourly" feature allows riders to set the length of the trip and lock the trip in a flat, hourly rate over the course of the drive.
Since 2017, Uber has permitted several trips to several destinations but adding an hourly rate for these longer multi-stop routes is a new approach. Uber seems to be fishing for the type of driver who once took public services to execute several orders, but who could now avoid them due to the pandemic.
In a statement, Niraj Patel, director of rider operations, also said of Uber that "we are moving forward with this 'new normal' as a further income opportunity for drivers."
For this new feature, rider will be charged $50 per hour and asked to select how long the journey will last before the ride is confirmed. Even if the trip takes less time, the customer pays for the period he selected. Up to three destinations can be entered, and tolls and additional charges are excluded.
There are certain constraints. For journeys or rides, customers can not use the feature. There can be miles on the basis of the city — for instance, there are 40 miles in some cities. For trips that exceed the time limit, or the per-mile rate for trips that exceed the mileage limit, customers are paid a per-minute rate. The price is prorated at $50.
In Australia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Uber first tested the idea abroad.
It is now being transported to 12 American cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Washington , DC, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Tacoma and Seattle. It is hoped that in the next few weeks, it will expand to other cities.
Throughout the country, Uber operates under new COVID 19 safety rules, including the requirement that masks and the number of passengers per vehicle be allowed for both drivers and riders. COVID-19 had a damaging effect on the business of the company. More than 3,700 full-time workers were laid off, which means about 14% of its workforce. And Uber's riding hail business has fallen by 80%.
